Clashes erupt in Egypt's Alexandria, dozens injured

CAIRO, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Clashes erupted between Islamists and their opponents in Egypt's northern seaside city of Alexandria on Friday, leaving dozens injured, eyewitnesses and local media said.

The pro- and anti-Islamist protesters hurled stones at each other outside Qaed Ibrahim Mosque in Alexandria, forcing security forces to use tear gas and establish a barrier to disperse the crowd, eyewitnesses told Xinhua.

The clashes erupted as several thousand Islamists gathered outside the mosque chanting statements in support of President Mohamed Morsi, the Sharia (Islamic law) and the draft constitution, while their opponents gathered at the opposite side and shouted anti-Islamist slogans in response.

Relative calmness has been restored to the area around the mosque, as clashes moved to other districts, official MENA news agency reported.

The clashes came one day ahead of the second, also the final round of the country's constitutional referendum that will cover 17 governorates including Giza, Suez and Port Said.

Unofficial results said 56.5 percent of voters agreed with the controversial draft constitution in the first round.